Editing Maurice Richard (section)

===Captain of a dynasty===
Richard fulfilled his promise to Canadiens' fans, made in his post-riot radio address, by leading Montreal to a Stanley Cup championship in [[1955–56 NHL season|1955–56]] &ndash; the start of a still unprecedented 5 consecutive Stanley Cup victories by one team.<ref name="Foran100" /> The season began with the arrival of his young brother and future fellow NHL Hall of Famer [[Henri Richard|Henri]], a [[center (ice hockey)|centre]] given the nickname the "Pocket Rocket" to the Canadiens roster.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p197903&type=Player&page=bio&list= |title=Henri Richard biography |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=March 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909230249/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p197903&type=Player&page=bio&list= |archive-date=September 9, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It also marked the return of his former Punch line teammate, Toe Blake, as head coach.<ref>{{harvnb|Carrier|2001|p=232}}</ref> Along with general manager Frank Selke, Blake worked with Richard on moderating his temper and responding to the provocation of his opponents by scoring goals rather than engaging in fisticuffs.<ref name="Carrier234" /> Richard finished the season with 38 goals and 71 points, second on the team in both respects to [[Jean Béliveau]]'s 47 goals and 88 points.<ref>{{harvnb|Lavigne|2013|p=304}}</ref> Richard added 14 points in 10 playoff games as Montreal defeated Detroit to claim the Stanley Cup.<ref>{{harvnb|Lavigne|2013|p=305}}</ref> He scored the second and ultimately Cup-clinching goal in the fifth and final game, a 3–1 victory.<ref>{{citation |last=Carroll |first=Dink |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=M40jAAAAIBAJ&pg=6565%2C1894485 |title=Canadiens defeat Red Wings, 3–1, win Stanley Cup |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=April 11, 1956 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |page=1}}</ref>

Entering his 15th NHL season in [[1956–57 NHL season|1956–57]], Richard's teammates named him [[captain (ice hockey)|captain]] of the Canadiens, succeeding Émile Bouchard, who had retired prior to the season.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2194&dat=19560927&id=5-YxAAAAIBAJ&pg=5900,3090182 |title=Rocket" captain |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=September 27, 1956 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |page=13}}</ref> With 33 goals and 62 points, Richard again finished second on the team to Béliveau.<ref>{{harvnb|Lavigne|2013|p=306}}</ref> In the playoffs, he scored the overtime-winning goal in the fifth game of the semi-final to eliminate New York, then scored four goals in a 5–1 victory over Boston in the first game of the finals en route to a five-game series win and second consecutive championship for Montreal.<ref>{{harvnb|Lavigne|2013|p=307}}</ref>
[[File:Maurice Richard scoring his 500th goal 1957.jpg|thumb|left|Richard scoring his 500th goal, 1957]]
Richard reached a major scoring milestone early in the [[1957–58 NHL season|1957–58 season]]. During the first period of a 3–1 victory over Chicago on October 19, 1957, he became the first player in NHL history to [[List of NHL players with 500 goals|score 500 goals]] in his career.<ref>{{citation |last=Carroll |first=Dink |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s0wwAAAAIBAJ&pg=6934%2C4239121 |title=Rocket gets 500th goal, Canadiens defeat Hawks 3–1 |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=October 21, 1957 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |page=25}}</ref> As Richard celebrated with his teammates, it was announced to the Montreal Forum crowd: "Canadiens' goal, scored by Mr. Hockey himself, Maurice Richard".<ref>{{citation |last=Curran |first=Pat |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s0wwAAAAIBAJ&pg=5200%2C4240567 |title=Happy like a rookie |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=October 21, 1957 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |page=25}}</ref> He played only 28 regular season games that season, scoring 34 points,<ref name="NHLStats" /> as he missed three months due to a severed [[Achilles tendon]].<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1338&dat=19580212&id=4tlYAAAAIBAJ&pg=4872,2463479 |title='Rocket' Richard to return |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |date=February 12, 1958 |access-date=March 31, 2014}}</ref> Returning in time for the playoffs, Richard led Montreal with 11 goals and 15 points as the team won its third consecutive Stanley Cup. He scored the overtime-winning goal in the fifth game of the finals against Boston. It was the sixth playoff overtime-winning goal of his career, and the third during the finals, both NHL records.<ref>{{harvnb|Lavigne|2013|p=309}}</ref>
[[File:Maurice Richard jersey.JPG|thumb|upright|Sweater that was worn by Richard during his final season|alt=A Montreal Canadiens sweater with the Canadien's "CH" logo on the front with a smaller C denoting Richard as the captain and the number 9 on the arms]]
At 37, Richard was the oldest player in the NHL in [[1958–59 NHL season|1958–59]].<ref name="OldestPlayer">{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1873&dat=19590121&id=sG4pAAAAIBAJ&pg=4593,3287800 |title=Rocket Richard out 6 weeks |work=Daytona Beach Morning Journal |date=January 21, 1959 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |page=11}}</ref> He scored 38 points in 42 games,<ref name="NHLStats" /> but missed six weeks due to a broken ankle.<ref name="OldestPlayer" /> Injuries again plagued Richard during the [[1959–60 NHL season|1959–60 season]] as he missed a month due to a broken cheekbone.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1870&dat=19591128&id=CH0oAAAAIBAJ&pg=6433,4836096 |title=Rocket Richard out for month |work=Daytona Beach Morning Journal |date=November 28, 1959 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |page=7}}</ref> Montreal nonetheless won the Stanley Cup in both seasons. Richard scored no points in four games in the [[1959 Stanley Cup Finals]], but recorded a goal and three assists in [[1960 Stanley Cup Finals|1960]].<ref name="NHLStats" /> The titles were the seventh and eighth of Richard's career,<ref name="Cameron158" /> and Montreal's five consecutive championships remain a record.<ref>{{harvnb|Lavigne|2013|p=313}}</ref> The 1956–60 Canadiens rank as one of eight [[Dynasty (sports)|dynasties]] recognized by the NHL.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=31167 |title=Dynasties: Standings |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 31, 2014}}</ref>

The playoff goal was Richard's last, as on September 15, 1960, he announced his retirement as a player.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b48tAAAAIBAJ&pg=6805,2744054 |title=Maurice (the Rocket) Richard Retires |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=September 16, 1960 |access-date=August 3, 2016 |page=25}}</ref> Richard had reported to Montreal's training camp that autumn, but Selke compelled Richard to end his playing career, fearing he was risking serious injury. In Richard's retirement speech, he said he had been contemplating leaving the game for two years, and stated that at age 39, the game had become too fast for him.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2194&dat=19600916&id=N-kxAAAAIBAJ&pg=5389,121161 |title=Gave fans more thrills than any star in history |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=September 16, 1960 |access-date=March 31, 2013 |page=25}}</ref> Upon learning of Richard's retirement, Gordie Howe offered praise for his former rival: "He sure was a drawing card. He brought in the crowds that helped pay our wages. Richard certainly has been one of the greatest players in the game and we will miss him."<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b48tAAAAIBAJ&pg=3473,2744936 |title=One of greats says Gordie |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=September 16, 1960 |access-date=August 3, 2016 |page=25}}</ref>